Ken's Blog
Nutrition, Modeling and Sports

Interview with Naomi Ondrey

Naomi Ondrey is an up-and-coming 21-year old model from Apache Junction (Arizona). Here is the story she shared with me:

Do you have a nickname or artist pseudonym? Who came up with it and how?

I have lots of cool nicknames around town! My friends (and photographers) tend to call me some abbreviated variation of my name (Nay-Nay, Na-Na, Nomes, etc.). My nieces and nephews usually call me Nomi or Nummy, and my mommy has a jewelry line named after me called Omi-wear…because “I make it…Omi wears it!” 🙂

When, how and why did you first get involved in the modeling industry?

I started modeling because of my brother. He’s a year and a half older than me and easily my best friend! Since we were little, everything we’ve done has been a big competition. Who can do it first, and who can do it better. So when he started modeling…I had to jump in and show him what was up. 😉

Naomi Ondrey - In yellow caution tapeWhat are your personal and professional goals? Where do you see yourself in five years?

My goals are hard to explain…honestly my biggest goal is to just always push myself to the next biggest thing. I never want to just settle or be “okay” I want to thrive in the life I live.
In 5 years I hope to be bigger into modeling….hopefully more fitness modeling, be running my own personal training business, maybe get into acting. I guess I really will just have to see where the current takes me!

Please tell us about the best and/or worst experiences you’ve had so far in modeling.

Best: I have met SOO many amazing people in this industry! It isn’t at all what everyone thinks, sure there are some not so classy individuals…but for the most part, everyone is looking out for everyone else and we’re all just here to have fun and create something beautiful and lasting!

Worst: I absolutely ADORE (sarcasm) when I get to a shoot and someone on set says something along the lines of “so… You’re Naomi?! … you don’t look ANYTHING like your pictures!” (which I really do. I ask that my photos aren’t edited excessively, since I still want them to be genuine. There are really just some harsh people in this industry. The rudeness is really the worst part, but that’s really with people in general. I just shrug it off and move on.

Have you had anything funny, embarrassing or completely out of the ordinary happen during your modeling career?

The most out of the ordinary thing was probably a photography workshop event I worked in Vegas a couple years back. I was supposed to fly out of Phoenix the night before, but I missed my flight, my bags had already left ahead of me, and my ride was an hour away. So I decided I would take the bus. It was walking distance, but security wouldn’t allow it, so I paid 16 dollars for a two minute ride, to hide in the bathroom from some very sketchy individuals. Finally got on the bus…and it delayed 2 hours. Halfway to Vegas, the bus driver fell asleep at the wheel and almost tipped the bus, the proceeded to pretend nothing happened. After a VERY long, sleepless, and foodless night I rolled into Vegas JUST in time to jump into the chair for hair and make-up, immediately after we rolled out to the middle of the desert to shoot all day, and about halfway through the day I passed out and came to with a friend of mine literally shoving a PB&J down my throat saying “you really should eat something” lol later that night I saw some of the pictures and didn’t remember them because I was that far out of it…but they looked good…so it worked out ha 🙂

Naomi Ondrey - Sitting in a stairwellIs there anything you would change about the modeling industry if you could?

Just the stereotypical things….rudeness, attitude, girls starving themselves to play a part. I’ve found modeling to be a creative outlet for me, paying the bills is just a bonus! It shouldn’t be all about the money or having to be a certain person. It should be like minded people creating beautiful art to share, regardless of what your version of art is.

Do you practice any sports and what do you typically eat? Please elaborate on the importance of nutrition and exercise in your life.

I don’t play and sports, I just love to work out and play in general. I love being in the gym and being outdoors. If I’m gunna sweat or get covered in dirt, I’ll do it with a smile! I eat healthy for the most part; fruits, vegetables, lean meats, etc. but don’t kid yourself. I love me some DQ or Dominoes every now and again 😉

Please share something people don’t know about you.

Most people don’t know that I’m an all-star singer… but only when I’m alone in the car.

Would you change anything about yourself (physical or otherwise) if you could?

Absolutely not! Sure, I have my flaws, and I would love to gain a cup size or two 😉 but I am exactly what God made me to be. The people in my life who are close enough to see my flaws still think I’m beautiful, so why would I think any differently?